Association between Etomidate Use for Rapid Sequence Intubation and Adrenal Insufficiency in Sepsis

Background The risk of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in using single-dose etomidate for intubation among patients with sepsis remains controversial. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of AI and characterize the risk factors in patients who received etomidate for rapid sequence intubation (RSI). Methods This is a retrospective study of prospectively-acquired data evaluating surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients who developed respiratory failure undergoing RSI. Results Of the 44 adult SICU patients who developed respiratory failure, 34 patients received etomidate. The average age for the total cohort, for the patients that received etomidate and for those who did not, was 70.91 ± 14.92, 72.82 ± 13.61 years and 64.40 ± 15.93, respectively. Twenty-four patients of the total cohort (54.55%) developed AI; 26 had septic shock (59.09%), and 16 patients had AI and septic shock (36.36%). There was no statistical significance between the incidence of AI in patients who received etomidate (47%) and those who did not (80%). However, in the subset of patients who received etomidate for RSI, there was a non-significant trend toward increased incidence of AI in those who were septic compared to those who were not (p = 0.06). Conclusion A single dose of etomidate used for RSI in SICU patients is not associated with the development of AI or mortality. However, a trend was shown, although not statistically significant, towards the development of AI in septic patients. High-quality and adequately powered randomized control trials (RCTs) are warranted.